To avoid suspicion, Mo Xin reluctantly left the “paradise” before curfew and returned to his private villa in the suburbs of San Lorenzo.

Out of caution, he deliberately changed cars in an area without surveillance on the way back, ensuring that no one was following before taking the long way home.

Vincent was waiting for him at the door as usual.

When Mo Xin got out of the car, he handed the car keys to him and stood at the door smoking a cigarette. By the time he finished smoking, he had figured out the distribution of surveillance points nearby.

After parking the car, Vincent quickly came to his side. He saw a police car boldly parked diagonally across the gate, less than a hundred meters away. He said in a deep voice, “They were even closer during the day. If it weren’t for me, they would have wanted to come to our door for surveillance. Godwin Reinis is clearly targeting us.”

Mo Xin extinguished the cigarette butt and said, “Let them be for now. Don’t escalate the situation.”

Vincent wasn’t afraid of Godwin, he was just worried about his uncle. “If General Reinis personally comes to question you, what will you do?”

“He’s currently running for president, busy with campaigning and speeches, he probably won’t have time to confront me,” Mo Xin speculated, “Besides, his uncle probably doesn’t know about Godwin’s visit to search our place.”

Otherwise, if Godwin didn’t find any evidence and instead stirred up trouble, General Reinis would definitely not let him off lightly.

Vincent looked surprised at the police car in the distance. “Does Godwin have the guts to forge a search warrant?”

Mo Xin didn’t answer as he walked into the villa.

Because this house had been searched by Godwin’s men, Vincent was worried that someone might have installed listening devices in the rooms. He meticulously checked every corner of the room twice with a detector.

Despite this, Vincent still lowered his voice and asked, “Did you… find Mr. Liang?”

“Mm.”

Mo Xin didn’t say much, but there was a rare sense of contentment and relaxation in the corners of his eyes and eyebrows. Vincent had been with him for many years, and even after the successful operation to rescue Liang Qiuchi, he had never seen Mo Xin show such an expression.

It seemed that the two of them had a good conversation.

Vincent lowered his head, clenched and loosened his fists several times before he finally gathered the courage to speak, “When do you plan to take him away?”

Mo Xin said, “There’s been a change in plans.” He walked upstairs in the surprised gaze of Vincent. “I’m going back to Faro tomorrow morning to continue negotiations. You’ll come with me.”

“Yes!” Vincent saluted him and couldn’t hide his excitement in his eyes.

At least in this situation, he could stay by the general’s side for a little longer.

Early the next morning, Mo Xin and Vincent boarded a military plane back to the Faro region to conduct the final round of negotiations with Pei Ji, the “second-in-command” of the Lugo Armed Forces, who had originally pretended to step down.

The Lugo side had always pursued independence and autonomy. This time, leveraging Liang Qiuchi’s inexplicable disappearance, they wanted to further expand their influence. The federal negotiation team naturally refused to back down, and both sides were deadlocked over minor details.

Mo Xin threw the gun directly onto the negotiation table, clearly stating the Federal bottom line, “Either accept it or fight. Make a decision quickly.”

Pei Ji sat behind the negotiation table, scrutinizing him from top to bottom. “General Mo, you look familiar. Have we met somewhere before?”

Before Mo Xin could speak, he suddenly remembered Liang Qiuchi’s phone and smiled ambiguously. “It’s you. In that case, we can consider ourselves friends now.”

Mo Xin frowned, and the other representatives of the negotiation team were even more confused.

But Pei Ji didn’t mention their relationship with Liang Qiuchi and simply looked at Mo Xin with confidence. “Since we’re friends, it’s easier to talk. My request isn’t high. I just want a barren mountain near the border between Lugo and Dangaa State. Is that too much?”

Mo Xin retorted, “There’s an untapped iron ore mine in the mountain. How can it be considered barren?”

Pei Ji’s smile gradually faded.

“The Federation is willing to absorb you, which indirectly acknowledges the legitimacy of your armed forces. We hope to coexist peacefully. I advise you to accept it while you still can,” Mo Xin looked at him impatiently, “Otherwise, we can withdraw now and declare war formally.”

Pei Ji remained silent for a moment. Everyone present couldn’t help but break out in a cold sweat, fearing that he might suddenly draw his weapon and start shooting inside the room.

At this moment, a black-clad bodyguard came to Pei Ji’s side with a satellite phone, whispered a few words in his ear, and Pei Ji looked at Mo Xin across the table before taking the phone and walking out of the negotiation room to make a call.

Mo Xin knew it was a call from Liang Qiuchi.

They had agreed that during this time, they must quickly resolve the tug-of-war negotiations between Lugo and the Federation.

This matter had arisen because of Liang Qiuchi on the surface, so it was only fitting for him to conclude it.

But Mo Xin was a little worried. Pei Ji didn’t seem like someone who could be easily persuaded.

But Liang Qiuchi had said to him, “Don’t worry, leave it to me.”

So, Mo Xin had the confidence to throw the gun on the negotiation table.

Before long, Pei Ji returned. His attitude changed from his previous arrogance. After entering the room, he directly and readily snapped his fingers at his secretary beside him, “Check the details and sign.”

Upon hearing this, everyone felt surprised, wondering how the other party had changed their mind in just one phone call.

Pei Ji bypassed the negotiation table and extended his arms towards Mo Xin, “General Mo, a pleasure to cooperate.”

Mo Xin declined his embrace and simply shook hands with him before striding out of the negotiation room.

He wanted to call Liang Qiuchi and ask how he managed to persuade Pei Ji to concede in such a short time. However, with many people around and fearing that the communication lines might be compromised, he could only send a text message to the number not saved in his contacts.

[Done deal, heading back soon.]

Soon after, Liang Qiuchi replied: Hugs.

Mo Xin smiled, wishing he could fly back to Liang Quichi’s side immediately.

“You know, I’ve always treated Liang Quichi as a brother.” The sudden voice behind him made Mo Xin’s smile disappear instantly. He put away his phone, and Pei Ji had already walked up to him, continuing, “I’ve always blamed myself for his arrest.”

“Is that so?”

Mo Xin turned around to glance behind him. His closest guards were standing ten meters away, and no one could hear their conversation.

“Liang Quichi is a reliable friend, loyal and committed. He once risked his life to pull me out of a pile of explosives. I don’t have children, only a group of brothers who are not afraid of death. I actually wanted to entrust Lugo’s future to him.” Pei Ji’s tone sounded sincere.

Mo Xin calmly looked at him. “But?”

“But,” Pei Ji smiled and looked him up and down once again, “he has always had someone on his mind, someone he’s attached to. That makes him unsuitable to be a leader for Lugo.”

Mo Xin quickly understood the situation.

“Was it you who arranged the assassination attempt on me last year?”

“Smart,” Pei Ji admitted openly, with a hint of regret in his tone. “I didn’t expect it to fail. And when Liang Quichi found out about it, you didn’t see how terrified he was when he learned you were seriously injured. He even pointed a gun at me.”

Mo Xin clenched his fist but remained silent.

“I was afraid he would act rashly, so I had someone handcuff him to calm down. But he escaped and secretly went to see you.” Pei Ji sighed. “So, in a way, his arrest can be attributed to me. I’ve always felt very sorry for him.”

“Why are you telling me all this?” Mo Xin asked coldly.

“No particular reason, we’re all family, just chatting.” Pei Ji smiled. “If you have the chance to come to Lugo, I’ll definitely invite you and Liang Quichi to dinner to make amends.”

“No need for dinner to make amends,” Mo Xin turned to face him directly, “Speaking of which, I should thank you for that shot. It actually brought me and him together, giving us the chance to reunite.”

Pei Ji raised an eyebrow. “Is that so?”

Mo Xin nodded, then raised his hand and delivered a heavy punch to Pei Ji’s cheek.

The sudden turn of events made all the guards ten meters away raise their guns, ready to aim at Mo Xin.

Pei Ji raised his hand to signal that he was fine, telling them to lower their guns and not to mind.

He used his tongue to push against his bleeding right cheek, smiling without anger, “What does General Mo mean by this?”

“Consider it a token of gratitude for your shot,” Mo Xin shook his wrist and walked away without looking back.

Pei Ji watched his tall figure walking away and shook his head with emotion: No wonder Liang Qiuchi had been so obsessed with this person.